Alabama football head coach Kalen DeBoer has found success developing quarterbacks throughout his coaching career. Before taking over the Crimson Tide and Jalen Milroe this offseason, he helped put the likes of Jake Haener and Michael Penix Jr. in the NFL through stops at Indiana, Fresno State and Washington.
He’s got a five-star QB prospect committed to Alabama for 2025 in Keelon Russell. On Wednesday, DeBoer was asked what he looks for in a quarterback recruit.
“When it comes to physical pieces, they gotta be able to deliver the ball and get the ball to people efficiently,” DeBoer said during the SEC’s coaches teleconference. “We’re gonna recruit a lot of skill around them, and that skill’s gotta be used. You want a guy that’s poised, got a good head on his shoulders.”
Russell was previously committed to SMU before he flipped to the Crimson Tide. He’s currently the highest-ranked recruit in Alabama’s 2025 class, according to the 247Sports composite.
DeBoer acknowledged that a player coming from a high-level high school or college can be helpful, although it’s not required. He went through some of the non-physical attributes he looks for in recruiting the position.
“The personality is important,” DeBoer said. “This is your leader and a guy that you’re expecting to work hard and lead by example, lead vocally. You want a well-rounded person in all ways, both physically, mentally, personality, all of that.”
Alabama’s current quarterback will lead the Crimson Tide once again on Saturday, when UA travels to Oklahoma. That game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT and will be aired on ABC.
It’s the quarterfinals of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Class 5A state football playoffs. Do you know where Ramsay and Moody will be?
For the second year in a row, the teams will be at Moody’s Bill Morris Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. with a final four berth on the line. It’s The Birmingham News Game of the Week, too.
An all new episode of Tyler Perry’s Sistas is scheduled to premiere on BET Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 9 p.m. Eastern Time (8 p.m. Central Time).
During this week’s new episode, Danni and Tony lay their cards on the table in public as Rich expresses his discontent with Sabrina’s half-truths.
Meanwhile, Marie Willis puts Vanessa in her place and makes demands of Karen and Pam.
Where can I watch Sistas season 8?
Those who want to watch this week’s new episode ofSistas live Wednesday night, but have already ditched regular cable, can still tune in with Philo, Fubo or DirecTV Stream, all of which offer a free trial for new subscribers.
Philo is the cheaper option of the three mentioned at $28 a month after its 7-day free trial.
What is Philo?
Philois considered one of the cheaper live streaming services available as it allows users to stream over 70 live TV channels for just $28 a month after itsfree trial.
Popular channels offered with Philo include the Hallmark Channel, MTV, AMC, HGTV, History Channel, Discovery Channel, CMT, TLC, BET and more.
The streaming service also offers unlimited DVR along with various movies and TV shows users can watch on-demand.
What is Fubo?
Fubois set up like any other streaming service, but rather than offering exclusively on-demand content, it offers a plethora of exclusive live TV channels that Philo does not offer ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, TLC, MTV and much more. So like regular cable, but without the hassle.
Fuboconsiders itself a sports-focused live streaming service, but overall, its standard package comes with over 100 live TV channels for $79.99 a month after its free trial.
Fuboalso comes with a variety of shows and movies users can watch on-demand along with the option to record your favorite TV shows.
What is DirecTV Stream?
DirecTV Stream is similar to Fubo in that it offers many of the same channels and features. At $101.98 a month after its free trial, the base package comes with a little over 90 live TV channels.
Written, directed and executive produced by Tyler Perry, Sistas follows a group of single black women as they navigate the ups and downs of modern life, which includes careers, friendships, romances and even social media.
The comedy-drama series features Andi Barnes, an ambitious divorce lawyer, Danni King, a funny and fearless airport employee, Karen Mott, a street-smart hair salon owner, and Sabrina Hollins, a smart and stylish bank teller.
The TV show takes viewers on a roller coaster ride of emotions and moments that epitomize “squad goals.”
KJ Smith, Mignon Von, Ebony Obsidian, Novi Brown and Devale Ellis star.
Alabama has positioned itself for an SEC Championship Game berth, assuming it takes care of business starting with Oklahoma this weekend.
College football analyst Josh Pate is here to remind Tide fans not to assume anything.
Yes, Pate is picking the Tide to win the game, but admits, “I’ll take them to cover, but I have no confidence. I’d light money on fire before I bet it on this game.”
Pate cited Alabama as an 13.5-point but said he sees it more as Tide -11.
There are a couple of reasons Pate drew that conclusion. Is this Oklahoma’s “Super Bowl” spot? A win here or against LSU gets the Sooners bowl eligible. In other words, Oklahoma needs this one.
As far as Alabama, did we see the Tide’s identity game?
“The LSU game, the game where they ran the ball 48 times and threw it 18 times,” Pate explained. “The game wear Jalen Milroe looked like the vintage, cape-wearing version of Jalen Milroe. Did we get the Bama identity game?
“If we did, then Bama ought to win this game, running the ball, despite the fact that Oklahoma has the No. 18 run defense in the country.”
In short, Alabama should impose its will.
Still, Oklahoma’s weakness, Pate said, is giving up passes of more than 20 yards.
“Jalen Milroe, when he is right, is one of the best in the country at throwing the ball deep,” Pate said. “I still think that’s what you got to force Bama to do because what I’m not going to do if I’m Oklahoma is I’m not just gonna sit there and watch 4 run all over me.”
RECOMMENDED•al.com
Pate expects Ryan Williams to have a big day Saturday. Add Oklahoma is No. 119 in the country in takeaways and Alabama leads the SEC, it makes sense to take the Tide.
The analyst warns Alabama fans, on the other hand, about Oklahoma’s home-field advantage, athleticism on defense and a must-win mentality. Take a listen above.
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.
The 58th Annual CMA Awards is set to kick off live on ABC Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (7 p.m. Central Time).
The 2024 CMA Awards will be hosted by Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson. It will also be opened by a special performance from Chris Stapleton and Post Malone.
Along with the performance from Post Malone and Stapleton, others set to take the stage thought the night include Miranda Lambert, Jelly Roll, Kelsea Ballerini, Riley Green, Teddy Swims, Luke Bryan, Kacey Musgraves, Luke Combs, Lainey Wilson and many more.
Where can I watch the 2024 CMA Awards?
Although premiering on ABC, those without basic cable can still watch 2024 CMA Awards live on Wednesday night with either Fuboor DirecTV Stream.
Both live streaming services offer free trials for new subscribers who can watch the awards show live for free before committing to a paid subscription. However, Fubo is the cheaper option following its 7-day free trial.
What is Fubo and DirecTV Stream?
Both Fuboand DirecTV Stream are set up like any other streaming service, but rather than offering exclusively on-demand content, they both offer exclusive live TV channels. So like cable, but without the hassle.
Fubo considers itself a sports-focused live streaming service, but overall, its standard package comes with over 100 live TV channels for $79.99 a month after its free trial. These channels include ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, TLC, MTV and much more.
Fubo also comes with a variety of shows and movies users can watch on-demand along with the option to record your favorite TV shows.
DirecTV Stream is similar to Fubo in that it offers many of the same channels and features. At 101.98 a month after its free trial, the base package comes with a little over 90 live TV channels.
Birmingham police on Wednesday released surveillance photo showing the two suspects walking, and also contained images of their vehicles, said Officer Truman Fitzgerald.
The shots rang out about 3 a.m. that Saturday in the 800 block of Third Avenue West.
One man was killed an another seriously injured in a shooting early Saturday outside Shell and Boston Fish Supreme on Birmingham’s Third Avenue West.(Carol Robinson)
Police received four different Shot Spotter notifications. In all, the gunfire detection system registered about 42 shots.
When officers arrived, they found Ward unresponsive inside a vehicle. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service pronounced him dead on the scene.
Roughly two dozen shell casings surrounded his sedan which was stopped in front Boston Fish Supreme. Another cluster of shell casings was right in front the Shell, feet away from the store’s front door.
Authorities said it appeared Ward was trying to leave the parking lot when the shooter came from around a building and opened fire on the vehicle.
The shooter or shooters, who police said ambushed the victim, fled.
Police are asking for the public’s help identifying to suspects a shooting outside two west Birmingham businesses that left one man dead and another injured.(Birmingham Police Department)
While officers were on the scene, they learned an additional victim showed up at Princeton Baptist Medical Center via private vehicle. He was transferred to UAB Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Ward had been parked outside Boston Fish Supreme earlier, police said. His killing appears to be targeted but a motive has not yet been disclosed.
Once the shooting started, Sgt. LaQuitta Wade previously said, somebody outside of Shell also began firing, and that is when investigators believe the bystander was caught in the crossfire.
Anyone with information is asked to call homicide detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777.
The arrests last year of two Alabama journalists, school board members and school employees were part of an unconstitutional scheme by the former superintendent of Escambia County Schools and her “allies in law enforcement,” a new federal lawsuit states.
The arrests that occurred last year were orchestrated to dole out punishment over a political dispute and were part of a conspiracy aimed at retaliation over a controversial decision to oust former Superintendent Michele McClung, according to the court filing.
The 70-page complaint was filed Wednesday ahead of a news conference outside the U.S. District Court of South Alabama in downtown Mobile. It claims that Escambia County District Attorney Stephen Billy, Sheriff Heath Jackson, and four sheriff’s deputies – Arthur Odom, Kevin Durden, Matthew Rabren, and Stephen Dereck Lowery – violated the constitutional rights of four people during their arrests after the Escambia County School Board voted 4-3 to not renew McClung’s contract.
Escambia County District Attorney Steve Billy speaks with the parents of Superintendent Michele McClung during a break at the Escambia County School Board’s meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, in Atmore, Ala.John Sharp/[email protected]
The complaint alleges that Billy, Jackson and the four sheriff’s deputies conspired with McClung to violate the First and Fourth Amendment rights of the four plaintiffs in the case. The plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages.
McClung is not named as a defendant, but the lawsuit claims she had knowledge of the arrests before they occurred.
The case highlights much of the activity that led to their arrests and indictments of the journalists in late 2023, and which stirred national attention over press freedoms and the extent to which prosecutors can punish the media for publishing confidential material.
In the Atmore case, the story at issue revolved around the publication of confidential information contained in a subpoena and published in a story written by Fletcher in The Atmore News in late October 2023.
The case also focuses on the activities of Billy, the county’s longtime top prosecutor, who the lawsuit states made both private and public warnings “to punish anyone who opposed McClung” through the grand jury process.
It also alleges Jackson wanted to “unleash his ‘wrath’” on McClung’s detractors so they would have to “eat his hotdogs” all weekend, while at the Escambia County Jail.
Digmon and Jackson, as board members, voted against renewing McClung’s contract twice in September and October 2023. Fletcher was arrested based on writing a newspaper story that Billy claimed was a violation of the state’s grand jury secrecy law. Fore was arrested for allegedly disclosing grand jury secrets.
‘Malicious, Abusive’
Billy, Jackson and the four deputies are named for being “malicious, abusive, and retaliatory” for their arrests of all four plaintiffs.
The lawsuit also includes details about the arrests of each of the plaintiffs. Specifically, Digmon, 73 – who was arrested three times during the course of the investigation – was once placed in handcuffs and taken to the county jail, directed to remove all her clothes, handed a rag and instructed to shower. Digmon showered in front of a female officer, who made her squat, the lawsuit states. And because there was no door to the shower, male officers could see inside the shower as they walked by, the filing says, with some shielding their eyes.
Digmon was then given an XL orange jumpsuit that did not fit her, according to the complaint.
Officers led Digmon back and forth through the men’s holding cell to take her mugshot and then to get her fingerprints while she had to hold her orange jumpsuit closed with her hands as she walked through a holding cell that was filled with eight to 10 men, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit claims that Billy pursued criminal charges on Sept. 19, 2023, one day after a local GOP meeting in which Jackson claimed he would arrest any of McClung’s detractors and require them to “eat his hotdogs” while they were incarcerated for a weekend.
Billy pursued criminal charges that all four plaintiffs disclosed grand jury secrets. He then issued a subpoena to the Escambia County School Board pursuant to his powers as district attorney.
But the federal lawsuit claims that Billy characterized his subpoena as “a secret grand jury document.” The document, the lawsuit says, “very clearly came from him — not a grand jury.”
The arrests over the school board decision also drew the ire of the Alabama Association of School Boards, which assisted Digmon against an impeachment charge Billy also brought against her. The impeachment proceeding was based on a violation to the School Board Governance Act of 2012, which establishes training requirements and accountability measures for all school board members.
Eleven games into his NFL career, Bo Nix has an NFL Player of the Week Award. The former Pinson Valley High School and Auburn quarterback is the AFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week 11 of the NFL season for his performance in the Denver Broncos’ 38-6 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Nix completed 28-of-33 passes for 307 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions. He became the first rookie in NFL history with 300 passing yards, four TD passes, no interceptions and a completion percentage of more than .750 in the same game. His showing was the 20th in NFL history in which a player had at least 300 passing yards and four touchdown passes with no interceptions and a completion percentage of .840 or better.
Nix joined Denver as the 12th pick in the NFL Draft on April 25, and he has started every game for the Broncos this season.
The NFL announced the Player of the Week Award winners for Week 11 on Wednesday.
The other winners were New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill, NFC Offensive; Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrell Bernard, AFC Defensive; Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Kinchens, NFC Defensive; Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell, AFC Special Teams; and Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Karl Brooks, NFC Special Teams.
Alabama football doesn’t face Auburn until next week. A trip to Oklahoma is next up.
But Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer already fielded a question about the Iron Bowl during the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday.
With Thanksgiving next week, the Wednesday teleconference won’t be held. So a reporter took the chance to ask DeBoer for his thoughts on his first Iron Bowl during Oklahoma week.
“The focus isn’t on that, as you know,“ DeBoer said. ”But that’s going to be a game the whole state, us, Auburn, pour everything into. Just such great history over the many years. It’s a big game. A big game for a lot of reasons. The focus for us will be hopefully we’re playing for something.“
No. 7 Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) needs to take care of business first against Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5) on Saturday (6:30 p.m., ESPN) in Norman, Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide can’t afford another regular-season lost, and maybe not one in the SEC Championship Game either. But definitely not in the regular season if it wants to stay alive for the College Football Playoff.
For Alabama to still be playing for that playoff spot when it faces Auburn, the Crimson Tide needs to beat Oklahoma first.
“That’s really what I know I’ve always tried to focus rivalry games on,” DeBoer said. “Where we’re at in the season. What it means for our team. But you certainly understand atmosphere and environment for the fans and everyone surrounding the game and how important it is to them with a rival game.”
The new $120 million Cooper Green outpatient clinic is opening in December, set to provide healthcare to Jefferson County residents regardless of their ability to pay.
Located at 1509 Sixth Ave. S. in Birmingham, the five-story building has 211,000 square feet, offering full-service outpatient care.
The new building offers primary and specialty care clinics, urgent care, physical, occupational and speech therapy, laboratory services, imaging and a pharmacy.
Urgent care will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and clinics are open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cooper Green, known as Mercy Hospital when it opened in 1972, was a 319-bed acute care hospital, owned by Jefferson County and providing medical services to all residents of the county regardless of their ability to pay. In 1975, it was renamed to honor former Birmingham mayor Cooper Green.
In 2012, Cooper Green transitioned from an inpatient hospital to an outpatient clinic. Cooper Green Mercy Health Services Authority is now an affiliate of the UAB Health System.
The general contractor on the project is Brasfield & Gorrie. The architect is Gresham Smith.
The urgent care clinic has a separate entrance and has designated areas for well and sick patients, as well as a casting room for minor injuries.
Cooper Green will now have its own MRI machine, allowing for complete imaging in-house. The in-house pharmacy has a consultation room and vaccination area. The rehabilitation area has an outdoor patio with multiple surfaces, a low-impact water treadmill and zero G gait system.
There is also an eye clinic with an optical shop to offer glasses on-site. The hematology/oncology clinic now has individual infusion bays where patients will receive treatment in a semiprivate, comfortable space.
In addition, there are multipurpose areas for meetings, education and training seminars. Cooper Green offers education classes for patients on topics like heart health, diabetes management and cancer screenings.
The building also has aesthetic touches, such as pieces from local artists installed on the first-floor lobby, and an outdoor walking trail for patients and employees.
Cooper Green is accepting new patients looking for a primary care physician. Call (205) 930-3377 to make an enrollment appointment.
